Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Odessa, TX
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
322 mi
518 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Odessa, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fort Worth to Odessa covers 322 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route relies on local roads like Elmwood Avenue, Epps Street, and East Maddox Avenue rather than major interstates, it functions best as a one-day trip. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to complete the journey. Both cities sit firmly within the Great Plains, so expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, keep your expectations realistic regarding pace and navigation. It is a straightforward trek that allows you to experience the heart of Texas at a steady, local speed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is characterized by its turn-heavy, local profile, offering a stark contrast to a standard interstate highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, you won't find long, high-speed stretches; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Elmwood Avenue. Instead, you will navigate through a series of local transitions that demand your full attention. The road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently as you move away from Fort Worth and head toward Odessa. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the focus is on street navigation rather than open-road cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 303.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Epps Street
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Freeway
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Freeway
Turn left onto South Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30 West
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 303.8 mi | 5h 8m |
| West Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| East Rosedale Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Grant Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Freeway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Pool Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Epps Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Elmwood Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 303.8 mi, about 5h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Odessa, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Freeway
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
475 ft
·
23 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Epps Street
4
Continue on East Maddox Avenue
412 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Maddox Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
321 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Freeway
6
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto East Rosedale Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Rosedale Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 377
13 mi
·
14 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
304 mi
·
5 hr 8 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
13
Turn straight onto East Pool Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Pool Road
14
Turn right onto US 385
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 385
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 322-mile route, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Starting your journey early in the day is wise, as the local road navigation can take longer than anticipated due to the constant turns. Since you are relying on city streets rather than highways, keep a close eye on your GPS and fuel levels throughout the transition segments. Budgeting your $48 for gas is essential, as fueling options may vary significantly once you exit the Fort Worth area. By staying alert and pacing yourself, you can manage this local trek efficiently without unnecessary fatigue.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Odessa, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Worth, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 322 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 303.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.8 miles.
Arriving in Odessa, TX
The final approach into Odessa, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Odessa, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.19 one way
$98.37 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.90 | $107.81 |
| premium | $4.59 | $58.20 | $116.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.54 | $143.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.81 | $15.46 |
| Efficient EV | 80.5 | 0 | $28.17 | $12.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.8 | 1 | $45.08 | $20.61 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Odessa, TX
Afternoon in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Brownwood, TX
161 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Odessa, TX covers 322 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, West Freeway, East Rosedale Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161 miles from Fort Worth, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Worth, TX to Odessa, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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